Maha plans to refurbish Sevagram Ashram on lines of Sabarmati

Maharashtra government is mulling refurbishing the Sevagram Ashram in Wardha district, where Mahatma Gandhi had stayed for over a decade, into a world class tourist destination on the lines of Sabarmati Ashram in neighbouring Gujarat.
Maharashtra Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that officials from his department and that of Forest department will go on a study tour of Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat in October end, where they will also meet their counterparts, to discuss the top 10 schemes of both states.
"We have planned to go on a study tour of Sabarmati Ashram in October end and see the development of the place where Gandhiji (Mahatma Gandhi) spent 13 years of his life. Gandhiji has lived for an equal time in Wardha as well," Mungantiwar told PTI.

"We want to replicate the success of Gujarat and ensure that Sevagram Ashram becomes a world class tourist destination in another year's time. This will be our way of commemorating 150 years of his birth anniversary in 2019," he said.
The minister further said that officials from the finance department will also meet their counterparts in a 'Minister to Minister' and 'secretary to secretary' meeting for an exchange of ideas between the two governments.
"We will apprise the Gujarat government with the Top 10 schemes of our state and similarly will get to know their schemes as well. This will be like an idea between the two governments where the most popular schemes will be replicated," Mungantiwar said.

He also said that communication will be established with the Gujarat government officials once dates of the visit are finalised.
"The other agenda of our trip is to also visit the Gir forest and study the methods adopted by the Gujarat government to attract tourists. For instance, they have battery operated cars there that are eco-friendly. We will see how feasible it is to replicate a few things here as well," Mungantiwar said.